Before & After: Making the Most of a Small Space

Sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest difference — and this simple but innovative small-space solution is the perfect proof of that. West Village homeowner Franz loved his small studio apartment, but not the lack of storage space. So he came up with a plan to add storage, without sacrificing any floor space, and found a contractor to help him make his plans a reality.

You can see a layout of the studio here. So, not a lot to work with. Franz' idea? Add shelves flanking the fireplace. It's a simple and elegant solution — the shelves look like they've always been there, and the additional storage he gained meant Franz could say goodbye to his IKEA Expedit, for a net gain in square footage.

The shelves on the left side of the fireplace are hung higher, to leave room against the wall for a desk.

Franz partnered with Brooklyn-based South Fork Projects to complete the renovation. He found them through The Sweeten, a New York-area resource that matches homeowners with architects, designers and contractors. Gennadiy Kaliberda, owner of South Fork, used hidden fasteners to attach the shelves to the shelves to the wall and brick, and painted the shelves and the wall all the same color for a seamless look.

While in Europe, Franz is subletting his place to his friend Matt, so it's Matt's stuff (and presumably Matt's collection of delicious bourbons) you see here. Thanks Franz and Matt for the glimpse into your space!

To see more photos and read more about the transformation, check out the project page on The Sweeten.